Chamber folk outfit Beirut has been out of the spotlight since 2011, as its founder and frontman Zach Condon suffered and recovered from exhaustion, divorced, remarried and established a second home in Turkey. Despite its negative title, No No No, the group's forthcoming album, is a return to the celebratory world, folk and pop sounds that defined Beirut's early work.
Tuesday the group released the video for the track "Gibraltar," which pairs Condon's high, emotive vocals and steady djembe line with an equally stark and captivating walk on the beach. Along the way, Condon picks up members of his band, instruments in tow, and the three make their scenic way toward a surreal landscape. It's as close to a surprise ending as a beach-stroll video can have — and an apt visualization of Beirut's always eclectic, ever-evolving sound.
No No No comes out Sept. 11 on 4AD.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.